noun
caste
kahst
noun
1
One of the hereditary social classes found historically in South Asian societies and elsewhere.
"The novel explores how caste shaped opportunity in colonial India."
2
Any rigid, hereditary social division that limits people to a fixed class.
"Critics argue that wealth has created a new kind of caste system."
How to Use Caste
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rigid, usually hereditary, social class.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "cast" (to throw, or a group of actors) — different word entirely despite the near-identical spelling.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
caste system
lower caste
upper caste
Word Forms
castes plural
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The novel explores how _____ shaped opportunity in colonial India.
Etymology
From Portuguese or Spanish casta ("lineage, breed"), thought to trace to Latin castus ("pure, chaste").